U.S. patent application number 13/598298 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for methods, systems, and apparatus for automated maintenance mode switching.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anurag Arjundas Jivanani, Marty Lynn Trivette, Marcelo Esteban Valdes. Invention is credited to Anurag Arjundas Jivanani, Marty Lynn Trivette, Marcelo Esteban Valdes.
Application Number | 20140062222 13/598298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50098576 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140062222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Valdes; Marcelo Esteban ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED MAINTENANCE MODE
SWITCHING
Abstract
Methods, devices, and systems for automated maintenance mode
switching are described. An example method of controlling a
protection assembly mode of operation is described for use in a
system having a protection assembly configured to receive power
from an upstream power source and provide power and protection to a
downstream protection device moveable between a fully engaged
position and a fully disengaged position. The method includes
determining, by the protection assembly, when a maintenance action
is being performed on the downstream protection device, and
switching the protection assembly from a normal protection mode to
a maintenance mode of operation in response to determining the
maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection
device.
Inventors: |
Valdes; Marcelo Esteban;
(Burlington, CT) ; Trivette; Marty Lynn;
(Hartford, CT) ; Jivanani; Anurag Arjundas;
(Unionville, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Valdes; Marcelo Esteban
Trivette; Marty Lynn
Jivanani; Anurag Arjundas |
Burlington
Hartford
Unionville |
CT
CT
CT |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50098576 |
Appl. No.: |
13/598298 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02B 11/133
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
307/326 |
International
Class: |
H02H 11/00 20060101
H02H011/00 |
Claims
1. A protection assembly comprising: a chassis; a protection device
mounted to said chassis, said chassis configured to permit movement
of said protection device attached to said chassis between a
plurality of positions relative to said chassis; and a first sensor
assembly coupled to said chassis, said first sensor assembly
configured to detect a position of said protection device relative
to said chassis and generate a signal indicative of the position of
said protection device.
2. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a second sensor assembly configured to detect when said
protection device is being prepared for potential movement to a
different position relative to said chassis.
3. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said
chassis includes a racking port configured to receive a removable
racking handle for moving said protection device relative to said
chassis, and wherein said second sensor assembly is configured to
detect when the racking port is accessed by a person.
4. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
plurality of positions includes a fully engaged position and a
fully disengaged position, and wherein said first sensor assembly
is configured to detect when said protection device is in the fully
engaged position or the fully disengaged position and generate a
signal indicative of said protection device in the fully engaged
position or the fully disengaged position.
5. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
first sensor assembly is further configured to generate a signal
indicative of the protection device being moved when the protection
device is not in the fully engaged position or the fully disengaged
position.
6. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said
first sensor assembly is further configured to detect said
protection device in a predetermined intermediate position between
the fully engaged position and the fully disengaged position and
generate a signal indicative of said protection device in the
predetermined intermediate position.
7. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the
first sensor assembly comprises a plurality of position switches
and each position switch is coupled to a different position of said
chassis.
8. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
protection device comprises a circuit breaker.
9. A protection assembly comprising: an upstream protection device
configured to receive power from an upstream power source and
provide power and protection to a downstream protection assembly
including a downstream protection device moveable between a fully
engaged position and a fully disengaged position, said upstream
protection device operable in a normal protection mode and a
maintenance protection mode; and a controller communicatively
coupled said upstream protection device, said controller configured
to: switch said upstream protection device from the normal
protection mode to the maintenance protection mode based at least
in part on a signal from the downstream protection device
indicative of the downstream protection device not in either the
fully engaged position or the fully disengaged position.
10. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
controller is configured to switch said upstream protection device
from the maintenance protection mode to the normal protection mode
based at least in part on a signal from the downstream protection
device indicative of the downstream protection device in either the
fully engaged position or the fully disengaged position.
11. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein said
controller is configured to delay switching said upstream
protection device from the maintenance protection mode to the
normal mode for a predetermined time after receiving the signal
from the downstream protection device indicating the downstream
protection device is in either the fully engaged position or the
fully disengaged position
12. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein said
controller is configurable to disable the switching from the normal
protection mode to the maintenance protection mode based on the
signal from the downstream protection device indicating the
downstream protection device is in either the fully engaged
position or the fully disengaged position.
13. A protection assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein said
controller is further configured to switch said upstream protection
device from the normal protection mode to the maintenance
protection mode based at least in part on a signal from the
downstream protection device indicating the downstream protection
device is being prepared for movement.
14. A method of controlling a protection assembly mode of
operation, said method for use in a system having a protection
assembly configured to receive power from an upstream power source
and provide power and protection to a downstream protection device
moveable between a fully engaged position and a fully disengaged
position, said method comprising: determining, by the protection
assembly, a maintenance action is being performed on the downstream
protection device; and switching the protection assembly from a
normal protection mode to a maintenance mode of operation in
response to said determining the maintenance action is being
performed on the downstream protection device.
15. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:
determining, by the downstream protection device, that the
downstream protection device is not in either the fully engaged
position or the fully disengaged position; and providing, by the
downstream protection device, a signal to the protection assembly
in response to said determining that the downstream protection
device is not in either the fully engaged position or the fully
disengaged position, wherein said determining a maintenance action
is being performed on the downstream protection device comprises
determining a maintenance action is being performed on the
downstream protection device based at least in part on the signal
provided by the downstream protection device.
16. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:
determining, by the downstream protection device, that the
downstream protection device is being readied for movement; and
providing, by the downstream protection device, a signal to the
protection assembly in response to said determining that the
downstream protection device is being prepared for movement,
wherein said determining a maintenance action is being performed on
the downstream protection device comprises determining a
maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection
device based at least in part on the signal provided by the
downstream protection device.
17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said determining
that the downstream protection device is being prepared for
movement comprises determining that a racking port in the
downstream protection device has been accessed.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein said determining
that the racking port in the downstream protection device has been
accessed comprises determining that a cover to the racking port has
been opened.
19. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein said determining
that the racking port in the downstream protection device has been
accessed comprises determining that a racking handle has been
inserted into the racking port.
20. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:
determining, by the protection assembly, that the maintenance
action performed on the downstream protection device is completed;
and switching the protection assembly from the maintenance
protection mode to the normal mode of operation in response to said
determining the maintenance action is completed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The embodiments described herein relate generally to
protection systems and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and
apparatus for automated switching to a maintenance mode.
[0002] Known electrical distribution systems include a plurality of
protection devices within equipment such as switchgear. The
protection devices may be circuit breakers, or similar devices,
that are coupled to one or more loads. The protection devices
typically include a trip mechanism that measures current flowing to
the loads and causes the device to trip if the current is outside
of acceptable operating conditions. In some systems, one or more
protection device provides power and protection to other protection
devices located on a bus or another downstream protection
device.
[0003] At least some known protection devices are operable in at
least two protection modes: a normal protection mode and a
maintenance mode. In the normal protection mode, current thresholds
(also known as "pickup" thresholds) that identify undesired current
levels are set to protect equipment, such as a load or other
protection devices. The maintenance mode is commonly activated by a
person when the person will be interacting with a load or
protection device downstream from a protection device. In the
maintenance mode, the protection device's settings are adjusted to
make it more sensitive to undesired current levels and, if
possible, decrease the amount of time needed by the protection
device to react to an undesired current level. Thus, a protection
device is easier and/or quicker to trip when the maintenance mode
is enabled. The maintenance mode of a protection device is
typically manually enabled and disabled by a person. Failure of a
person to enable a maintenance mode in a protection device in some
known systems increases the danger to a person working downstream
from the protection. Failure to return the protection device from
the maintenance mode to the normal protection mode may increase the
likelihood that the protection device will trip unnecessarily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a protection
assembly includes a chassis, a protection device mounted to the
chassis, and a first position sensor assembly coupled to the
chassis. The chassis is configured to permit movement of the
protection device between a plurality of positions relative to the
chassis. The first sensor assembly is configured to detect a
position of the protection device relative to the chassis and
generate a signal indicating the position of the protection
device.
[0005] In another aspect, a protection assembly includes a
protection device configured to receive power from an upstream
power source and provide power and protection to a downstream
protection device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the
protection device. The downstream device is moveable between a
fully engaged position and a fully disengaged position. The
protection device is operable in a normal protection mode and a
maintenance protection mode. The controller is configured to switch
the protection device from the normal protection mode to the
maintenance protection mode based at least in part on a signal from
the downstream protection device indicating the downstream
protection device is not in either the fully engaged position or
the fully disengaged position.
[0006] In another aspect, a method of controlling a protection
assembly operation mode is described. The method is for use in a
system having a protection assembly configured to receive power
from an upstream power source and provide power and protection to a
downstream protection device moveable between a fully engaged
position and a fully disengaged position. The method includes
determining, by the protection assembly, when a maintenance action
is being performed on the downstream protection device, and
switching the protection assembly from a normal protection mode to
a maintenance mode of operation in response to determining the
maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary power
system.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of a
protection assembly in a fully engaged position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of a
protection assembly in an intermediate position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of a
protection assembly in a fully disengaged position.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method performed by an upstream
protection assembly in a power system.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another method performed by an
upstream protection assembly in a power system.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a protection assembly for use in the power system
shown in FIG. 1
[0014] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the protection
assembly shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Exemplary embodiments of a method, device, and system for
automated switching of a protection device to a maintenance mode
are described herein. These embodiments facilitate improving
protection of persons from dangers arising from electrical
equipment. The exemplary embodiments detect a maintenance action
performed on a downstream protection assembly and automatically
switch an upstream protection device to a maintenance mode. Thus,
protection devices are automatically switched to a maintenance mode
when a person is interacting with a protection assembly protected
by the protection devices without a person needing to remember to
manually switch to a maintenance mode. Moreover, when the
maintenance action is no longer being performed on the downstream
protection assembly, as determined by the upstream protection
device or assembly, the upstream protection device is automatically
switched back to a normal protection mode of operation. Thus, a
person does not need to remember to return the upstream protection
device to the normal protection mode and nuisance trips of the
upstream protection device may be reduced following completion of a
maintenance action.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary power
system 100. Power system 100 includes a power source 102 to deliver
power to a protection assembly 104. Power source 102 may be any
power source suitable for providing power to system 100 including,
for example, a battery, a power converter, an electric utility
grid, another protection assembly, etc. Power from power source 102
passes through protection assembly 104 to a bus 105 to provide
power to a plurality of downstream protection assemblies, including
protection assemblies 106, 108, and 110. Protection assemblies 106
and 108 provide power and protection to loads 112 and 114,
respectively. Protection assembly 110 is coupled, via a transformer
116, to a protection assembly 118. Protection assembly 118 provides
power and protection to a load 120. Loads 112, 114, and 120 may
include, but are not limited to only including, machinery, motors,
lighting, and/or other electrical and mechanical equipment of a
manufacturing or power generation or distribution facility.
[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, each protection assembly 106,
108, 110, and 118 is communicatively coupled to an upstream
protection assembly. Specifically, protection assemblies 106, 108,
and 110 are coupled in communication with protection assembly 104,
and protection assembly 118 is coupled in communication with
protection assembly 110. For clarity, only the communicative
coupling of protection assembly 106 to protection assembly 104, and
the coupling of protection assembly 118 to protection assembly 110
are illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0018] Protection assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118 are
operable in at least two modes of operation, a normal protection
mode and a maintenance protection mode. In other embodiments, less
than all of protection assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118 are
operable in different modes of operation and/or one or more of
protection assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118 may be operable
in more than two operation modes. In the normal protection mode,
protection assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118 operate with
preset operating parameters for normal or ordinary conditions,
while in the maintenance protection mode a different set of
operating parameters is used to increase the protection provided
and/or reduce the potential for damage or injury to persons or
equipment. For example, current pickup thresholds are reduced and
reaction times increased (if possible) in the maintenance
protection mode to facilitate a more sensitive and faster response
to potential problems such as short circuits. As will be explained
in more detail below, protection assemblies 104 and 110 are
configured to determine when a maintenance action is being
performed on a downstream protection device 106, 108, 110, or 118
and switch operation from the normal protection mode to the
maintenance protection mode in response to this determination. As
used herein performance of a maintenance operation includes steps
preparatory to performing a maintenance operation. In the exemplary
embodiment, automatic maintenance mode selection by the protection
assembly may be disabled by a person. Moreover, one or more
protection assembly 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118 may be manually
placed in maintenance mode by a person.
[0019] FIGS. 2-4 are simplified cross-sectional diagrams of a
protection assembly 200 that may be used in system 100 as one or
more of protection assemblies 104, 106, 108, 110, and 118. Each
protection assembly 200 includes a chassis 202 (also sometimes
referred to as a housing cubicle). A protection device 204 is
housed within chassis 202 and coupled to receive electric power,
such as from power source 102 or bus 105, through main terminals
205. In the exemplary embodiment, protection device 204 is a
circuit breaker assembly. In other embodiments, protection device
204 may be any protection device suitable for protecting circuits,
equipment, other protection devices, and/or nearby bodies. In some
embodiments, protection device 204 may include one or more circuit
breakers, such as circuit switches, circuit interrupters, and/or
crowbars, and/or one or more arc containment devices. An exemplary
arc containment device includes, for example, a containment
assembly, a plurality of electrodes, a plasma gun, and a trigger
circuit that causes the plasma gun to emit ablative plasma into a
gap between the electrodes to divert energy into the containment
assembly from an arc or other electrical fault that is detected on
the circuit.
[0020] Protection assembly 200 is a draw-out or drawer style
protection assembly. Protection device 204 is coupled to side rails
206, which in turn are coupled to chassis 202. Side rails 206
permit protection device 204 to be moved relative to chassis 202
between a fully engaged position (shown in FIG. 2) and a fully
disengaged position (shown in FIG. 4). In the fully engaged
position, protection device 204 is coupled to receive power, for
example from voltage bus 105 or power source 102, and to provide
the power to a load (e.g., load 112 or 114) or another protection
assembly (e.g., protection assembly 106, 108, 110, or 118). In the
fully disengaged position, protection device 204 is physically and
electrically separated from power system 100, such that no power
from power source 102 or bus 105 flows into or out of protection
device 204. In the exemplary embodiment, protection assembly
includes an intermediate position (shown in FIG. 3). The
intermediate position is sometimes referred to as a test position.
In the intermediate position, protection device 204 is physically
and electrically separated from main terminals 205, and thus from
power source 102 and bus 105, but remains connected to lower
voltage signal wiring, such as via signal contact 208. In the
exemplary embodiment, moving protection device 204 relative to
chassis 202 is a maintenance action. Moreover, steps taken to
prepare protection device 204 and/or protection assembly 200 for
such movement are also maintenance actions. In other embodiments,
other actions additionally or alternatively are maintenance
actions.
[0021] Protection assembly 200 includes sensors configured to
detect the position of protection device 204. Signals from the
sensors are provided to one or more upstream protection assemblies
to which the downstream protection assembly is communicatively
coupled. As used herein, signals from sensors, including the
position sensors, include the absence of signals from one or more
sensors. The sensor signals are used by the upstream protection
assembly to determine when a maintenance action is being performed
on a downstream protection. In response to determining that a
maintenance action is being performed on the downstream protection
device, the upstream protection device switches from the normal
protection mode to the maintenance protection mode. Moreover, in
response to determining that a maintenance action is no longer
being performed on the downstream protection device, the upstream
protection device switches from the maintenance mode to the normal
protection mode of operation. In some embodiments, the upstream
protection device delays switching to the normal protection mode
for a period of time following the determination that the
maintenance action is completed.
[0022] Protection assembly 200 includes sensors 210, 212, and 214
configured to detect the position of protection device 204 relative
to chassis 202. In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 210, 212, and
214 are position switches. The position switches may be mechanical,
magnetic, or any other suitable position indicating switch. In
other embodiments, any other type of sensor suitable for detecting
the position of protection device 204 may be used. Each sensor 210,
212, and 214 detects the presence of protection device 204 at a
particular position. For example, sensor 210 detects when
protection device 204 is in the fully engaged position of FIG. 2,
sensor 212 detects when protection device 204 is in the
intermediate position of FIG. 3, and sensor 214 detects when
protection device 204 is in the fully disengaged position shown in
FIG. 4. In other embodiments, a logical combination of sensors 210,
212, and 214 is used to identify the position of protection device
204. For example, when all sensors 210, 212, and 214 detect the
presence of protection device 204, it is determined that protection
device 204 is in the fully engaged position, while it is determined
that the protection device 204 is in the fully disengaged position
when only sensor 214 detects the presence of protection device 204.
Moreover, in some embodiments, more or fewer sensors are used
and/or different types of sensors are used.
[0023] Protection device 204 is moved between positions relative to
chassis 202 in protection assembly 200 using a positioning
mechanism (not shown). Protection assembly 200 includes one or more
sensors configured to detect when the positioning mechanism is
being used and/or being readied/prepared for use. Signals from the
sensor(s) are provided to one or more upstream protection
assemblies to which the downstream protection assembly is
communicatively coupled. In the exemplary embodiment, the
positioning mechanism includes a removable hand crank (not shown).
In another embodiment, an electronic actuator, motor, motorized
crank, or other suitable positioning mechanism for moving
protection device 204 may be used. In the exemplary embodiment, to
prepare to move protection device 204 between positions, a cover
(not shown) over a racking port 216 is moved to expose racking port
216. The hand crank is inserted into racking port 216 and rotated
by a person to cause protection device 204 to move relative to
chassis 202. A sensor (not shown) detects when racking port 216 is
accessed by a person. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor
detects when a cover (not shown) to racking port 216 is opened to
permit the hand crank to be inserted through racking port 216. In
other embodiments, the sensor detects when the hand crank is
inserted into racking port 216.
[0024] In other embodiments, protection device 204 includes one or
more additional sensors configured to detect an action or
characteristic of protection device 204 and provide such detection
to an upstream protection device. For example, in some embodiments,
protection device 204 includes a locking mechanism (not shown) to
lock protection device 204 in position relative to chassis 202. In
some embodiments, a sensor is coupled to the locking mechanism and
configured to detect whether or not the locking mechanism is
locked. Thus, for example, when protection device 204 is in the
fully engaged position and the locking mechanism is locked,
unlocking the locking mechanism in preparation of moving protection
device is detected by the sensor and may be used by an upstream
device, alone or in combination with other signals, to determine
that protection device 200 is being prepared for movement. In other
embodiments, signals from other suitable sensors may be used, alone
or in combination, by an upstream protection assembly to determine
that a maintenance action is being performed on the downstream
protection assembly.
[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, protection assembly 200
includes a controller 218 (also known as a trip or protective
relay) coupled to protection device 204. Controller 218 is
configured to control protection device 204. Specifically,
controller 218 stores and sets one or more settings, such as trip
thresholds, etc. for protection device 204. In some embodiments,
controller 218 monitors voltage, current, temperature, etc. and
instructs protection device 204 to provide its protection (e.g.,
when to trip). In some embodiments, controller is integrated within
protection device 204. In other embodiments, controller 218 is
separate from protection device 204. In some such embodiments,
controller 218 is integrated in protection assembly 200, while in
other embodiments controller 218 is remote from protection assembly
200 and may control more than one protection assembly 200 or
protection device 204.
[0026] When installed upstream of other protection assemblies in a
system, such as system 100 for example, controller 218 is
communicatively coupled to one or more downstream protection
assemblies to receive sensor information from the downstream
protection assemblies as described above. Based at least in part on
this received sensor information, controller 218 determines when a
maintenance action is performed on any of the downstream protection
assemblies. If automatic maintenance mode selection is enabled in
controller 218, in response to determining that a downstream
protection assembly is experiencing a maintenance action,
controller 218 switches its protection device 204 from the normal
protection mode to the maintenance protection mode.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment controller 218 includes a
processor and memory (neither shown). It should be understood that
the term "processor" refers generally to any programmable system
including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set
circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),
programmable logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor
capable of executing the functions described herein. The above
examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in
any way the definition and/or meaning of the term "processor." The
memory stores program code and instructions, executable by the
processor, to control and/or monitor switchgear units 106. Memory
may include, but is not limited to only include, non-volatile RAM
(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), read only
memory (ROM), flash memory and/or Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). Any other suitable
magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, by itself or in
combination with other forms of memory, may be included in memory.
Memory may also be, or include, a detachable or removable memory,
including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CD ROM,
DVD or USB memory. In other embodiments, controller 218 includes
any other suitable controls including, for example, analog
circuits, logic machines, relays, etc.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 performed by an
upstream protection assembly in a power system, such as system 100.
For clarity, method 500 will be described with reference to
upstream protection assembly 104 and downstream protection assembly
106 in FIG. 1. Each protection assembly 104 and 106 includes a
protection assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 204). According to method
500, upstream protection assembly 104 determines whether protection
device 204 in downstream protection assembly 106 is in an extreme
position (either fully engaged or fully disengaged). If protection
device 204 in downstream protection assembly 106 is in an extreme
position, upstream protection assembly 104 remains in its normal
protection mode. If, instead, downstream protection assembly 106 is
not in either extreme position, upstream protection assembly 104
determines if automatic maintenance protection mode switching is
enabled. If automatic maintenance protection mode switching is
enabled, upstream protection assembly 104 engages maintenance
protection mode. If automatic maintenance protection mode switching
is not enabled, upstream protection assembly 104 does not
automatically enable maintenance protection mode. Embodiments
operable to perform method 500 may include, or utilize, only
sensors that detect whether protection device 204 is in either the
fully engaged position or the fully disengaged position.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600, respectively,
performed by an upstream protection assembly in a power system,
such as system 100. For clarity, method 600 will be described with
reference to upstream protection assembly 104 and downstream
protection assembly 106 in FIG. 1. Each protection assembly 104 and
106 includes a protection assembly 200 (shown in FIGS. 2-4).
Embodiments operable to perform method 600 will typically include
and/or utilize more sensors in downstream protection assembly 106
than were utilized in method 500. Generally, upstream protection
assembly 104 determines if protection device 204 in downstream
protection assembly is about to be moved or is between its extreme
positions. If protection device 204 is in either extreme position
and not being prepared for movement, upstream protection assembly
104 remains in its normal protection mode. If downstream protection
assembly protective device 204 is being prepared for movement or
not in an extreme position, upstream protection assembly 104
switches to the maintenance protection mode. Upstream protection
assembly 104 determines whether downstream protection assembly 106
is being prepared for movement based on signals from downstream
protection assembly 106 that indicate a cover over racking port 216
is open or a racking handle has been inserted into racking port
216. If either of these conditions is true, and automatic
maintenance protection mode switching has been selected in upstream
protection device 104, upstream protection device 104 causes its
protection device 204 to shift to the maintenance protection mode.
When the conditions that triggered, or could trigger, automatic
shifting to maintenance mode cease, e.g., racking handle is
removed, upstream protection device 104 returns to the normal
protection mode. In some embodiments, the return to the normal
protection mode is delayed for a predetermined period of time
(X).
[0030] An exemplary protection assembly 700 with its protection
device removed is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 8 is an enlarged
view of section 701 of FIG. 7. Protection assembly 700 is similar
to protection assembly 200, and the same reference numerals refer
to common components. Protection assembly 700 includes an interlock
702 to enable racking port 216 to be accessed. Interlock 702 must
be activated to permit a user to insert a racking handle into
racking port 216 to move protection device 204. An interlock sensor
704 detects movement of interlock 702 to access the racking port
216. Switch 706 detects whether a position lock (not shown) is
enabled. The position lock maintains protection device 204 in a
fixed position relative to chassis 202 and is often used as part of
lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) procedures. Protection assembly 700 is
configured to permit protection device 204 to be physically removed
from chassis 202. Switch 708 detects whether or not protection
device 204 is physically mounted within chassis 202. Wires 710
communicatively couple protection assembly 700 to an upstream
protection assembly. In particular signals from interlock sensor
704, switches 706 and 708, and sensor 210 are transmitted via wires
710 to an upstream protection device to permit the upstream
protection device to determine when to automatically switch to a
maintenance protection mode as described herein.
[0031] FIG. 9 is flowchart of a method 900 for use in a system,
such as system 100, having a protection assembly, such as assembly
104, configured to receive power from an upstream power source,
such as source 102, and provide power and protection to a
downstream protection device moveable between a fully engaged
position and a fully disengaged position. The method includes
determining 502, by a protection assembly, when a maintenance
action is being performed on a downstream protection device. The
protection assembly is switched 504 from a normal protection mode
to a maintenance mode of operation.
[0032] A technical effect of the method, device, and system
described herein may include one or more of: (a) determining when a
maintenance action is being performed on a downstream protection
device; and (b) switching a protection assembly from a normal
protection mode to a maintenance mode of operation.
[0033] Exemplary embodiments of a method, device, and system
protection system activation and dynamic labeling are described
above in detail. The method, device, and system are not limited to
the specific embodiments described herein but, rather, operations
of the method and/or components of the system and/or device may be
utilized independently and separately from other operations and/or
components described herein. Further, the described operations
and/or components may also be defined in, or used in combination
with, other systems, methods, and/or devices, and are not limited
to practice with only the system, method, and device as described
herein.
[0034] Although the present invention is described in connection
with an exemplary protection system, embodiments of the invention
are operational with numerous other protection systems, or other
systems or devices. The protection system described herein is not
intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or
functionality of any aspect of the invention. In addition, the
protection system described herein should not be interpreted as
having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or
combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating
environment.
[0035] The order of execution or performance of the operations in
the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein
is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the
operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise
specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional
or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is
contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation
before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is
within the scope of aspects of the invention.
[0036] Although specific features of various embodiments of the
invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is
for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the
invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or
claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
[0037] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
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